Tag Archive: Business & Economy – Intermediate

Coca-Cola releases a new flavor inspired by space

220217102027-20220217-coke-new-flavor-exlarge-169

©Coca-cola via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you drink soda? How do you stay cool in hot weather? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sensation /sen-SEY-shuhn / [noun] – the ability to feel something physically, especially by touching, or a physical feeling that results from this ability This spicy Thai dish gives you a burning sensation. consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer/ [noun] – a person who buys goods or services for their own use Consumers of milk tea rose 18% this month. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – necessary or needed This map is essential for traveling….
Read more

Justin Bieber’s Timbiebs donuts boost Tim Hortons sales

conor-samuel-6tj8WUbDxjk-unsplash

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite celebrity? What do you like about him/her? What is your go-to snack? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [noun] – the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this Studio Ghibli had a huge influence on Laura’s life. upgrade /uhp-GREYD/ [verb] – to improve the quality or usefulness of something, or change it for something newer or of a better standard They need to upgrade the hotel…
Read more

UK rental costs rise as employees return to the office

_110468796_gettyimages-903861978

©GETTY IMAGES via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is it like living in your city? What is the most popular rental website/app in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gradual /GRAJ-oo-uhl / [adjective] – happening or changing slowly over a long period of time or distance He saw a gradual improvement in his student’s performances last month. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something The summer promotions boosted the sales of the store. privacy /PRAHY-vuh-see/ [noun] – someone’s right to keep their personal matters and relationships secret Laura values her…
Read more

The New York Times acquires Wordle

The New York Times acquires Wordle

©Sarah Tew/CNET Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What word/puzzle games do you play? How would you describe yourself in a five-letter word? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. media /MEE-dee-uh/ [noun] – the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered as a group The media has a powerful influence on public opinion. hit /hit/ [noun] – a thing or person that is very popular or successful The show quickly became a hit after its pilot episode. figure out /FIG-yer-out/ [phrasal verb] – to understand or solve something It took me the longest time to figure out how…
Read more

Apple users can now use Face ID with a mask

Apple will let you use Face ID with a mask in the next iOS update

©Chaim Gartenberg/The Verge Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What security features does your phone offer? Do you trust a face recognition feature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. buff /buhf/ [noun] – a person who knows a lot about and is very interested in a particular subject John is a huge jazz buff. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun] – a process that a computer or a computer program uses to complete a task Just enable this send-to-all function to deliver several e-mails by batch. vital /VAHYT-l/ [adjective] – absolutely necessary or important; essential Hard…
Read more

Starbucks plans to raise prices due to inflation

henry-co-jlNgRztzPXY-unsplash

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you drink coffee/tea? In your country, how much is a typical cup of coffee from the vending machine? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. inflation /in-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a general, continuous increase in prices The survey showed that 38% of Americans are worried about inflation. labor /LEY-ber/ [noun] – workers The newly elected senator addressed the labor concerns. chain /cheyn/ [noun] – a set of connected or related things Bea’s family owns a chain of computer shops. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very…
Read more

Google to invest up to $1 billion in India’s Bharti Airtel

Google to invest up to $1 billion in India's Bharti Airtel

©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What business skills do you have? What mobile network operator is used by the majority in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage The company will invest $5 million in the project. acquire /uh-KWAHYUHR/ [verb] – to buy or take control of a company or part of a company, often by buying shares in it Jolly Food Corporation had just acquired shares from Mr. Dough’s Bakeshop. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/…
Read more

America’s wages are going up—but so is inflation

America's wages are going up, but so is inflation

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What images spring to your mind when you hear the country USA? What prices do you care about most and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wage /weyj/ [noun] – a fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on a daily or weekly basis She works long hours to take home huge wages. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory or special area The electricity industry consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. expense…
Read more

Netflix raises its monthly rates in US and Canada

Netflix raises its monthly subscription prices in US and Canada

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of your favorite TV shows? What online video services do you use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rate /reyt/ [noun] – an amount or level of payment We sell these high-quality products at reasonable rates. standard /STAN-derd/ [adjective] – usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable Let’s just avail of the standard room package for our hotel stay to save money. utilize /YOOT-l-ahyz/ [verb] – to use something in an effective way The team utilized an effective marketing strategy to improve…
Read more

Burger King launches vegan nuggets in the UK

_122576007_gettyimages-1189042510

©BBC via GETTY IMAGES Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat fast food? Do you prefer dining in restaurants over takeout or delivery? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. launch /lawnch/ [verb] – to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product My cousin finally launched her own clothing line. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable Kim noticed a significant difference in prices between the two stores. unsuitable /uhn-SOO-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – not acceptable or right for someone or something; not suitable Her clothes were unsuitable for…
Read more